Petersburg architecture can be described by different epithets: classical, strict, ceremonial, proportionate. But there are buildings in this city that seem to violate its “strict slender appearance”. They are reminiscent of those times when Russia was not yet a Europeanized country and had its own aesthetic ideals that were closer to nature and were characterized by a variety of shapes, sizes and colors, smoothness and roundness of lines.

These buildings are associated with the word “terem”, with Palekh and Khokhloma paintings, with bright Dymkovo toys, and, of course, with the Russian folk tale, where the royal chambers have always seemed magnificent .

Such a house can be seen not far from the historical center of the city on Kolokolnaya Street, which runs parallel to Nevsky Prospect. This amazing building was built at the very beginning of the twentieth century by architect Nikolai Nikonov, who worked in the neo-Russian style. His works include the unique Ioannovsky Convent on Karpovka, as well as an apartment building on Dostoevskaya Street.

All these buildings are characterized by red brick decoration, rounded kokoshniks above the windows, numerous plant motifs. The house on Kolokolnaya has a lot of multicolored majolica mosaics, which also decorate the vaults above the entrance and in the arch, intricate pointed turrets crowning the protruding balconies in some places.

Various parts of the structure can be considered for a very long Despite their abundance and diversity, the house looks very harmonious and appeals to our genetically determined sense of beauty. In 2009, the building was severely damaged by a fire that killed six people. After a long search for funds for restoration, the house was finally restored and again pleases the eye with its magical luxury of a Russian fairy tale.

Among other works by architect Nikolai Nikonov, a special place is occupied by the Church of the Holy Trinity - an irretrievably lost masterpiece of Russian architecture, on the site of which today stands a high-rise residential building. In addition, Nikonov designed the Intercession Church on Borovoy Street, as well as the Church of the Kazan Icon on Primorskoye Shosse.

Nikolay Nikitich also worked in other Russian cities, specializing mainly in church architecture. According to his projects, temples are located in Moscow, Tallinn, Poltava and on the island of Valaam.